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 | Illustrated: Tire codes and corresponding meaning |
Tires Speed-Rated: A designation of the sustained high-speed capability of the tire. Special compounds and construction enable these tires to withstand the increase in pressure that comes at higher speeds. The speed rating is the letter on the sidewall in the tire's size (e.g., P205/65HR15, H=130 mph-rated).
| "Aspect Ratio" is the the ratio of the height of the tire's cross-section to its width. 65 means that the height is equal to 65% of the tire's width.
"Construction" tells you how the tire was put together. The "R" stands for radial, which means that the body ply cords, which are layers of fabric that make up the body of the tire, run radially across the tire from bead to bead. A "B" indicates the tire is of bias construction, meaning that the body ply cords run diagonally across the tire from bead to bead, with the ply layers alternating in direction to reinforce one another.
"Wheel Diameter" is the width of the wheel from one end to the other. The diameter of this wheel is 15 inches.
"Load Index" is a number corresponds to the maximum load in pounds that a tire can support when properly inflated. You will also find the maximum load in pounds and in kilograms molded elsewhere on the tire sidewall.
"Speed Rating" is a number that corresponds to the maximum service speed for a tire. "H" means that the tire has a maximum service speed of 130 mph. Please note that this rating relates only to tire speed capability, and is NOT a recommendation to exceed legally posted speed limits; always drive within the legal speed limits. Speed Rating Chart
"DOT" means the tire is compliant with all applicable safety standards established by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Adjacent to this is a tire identification or serial number; a combination of numbers and letters with up to 12 digits.
"UTQG" stands for Uniform Tire Quality Grading, a quality rating system developed by the Department of Transportation (DOT).Tire Grades: Uniform Tire Quality Grading System or UTQG.
Except for snow tires, the DOT requires the manufacturers to grade passenger car tires based on three performance factors: tread wear, traction, and temperature resistance.
Tread Wear
» More Than 100 - Better
» 100 - Baseline
» Less Than 100 - Poorer
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test track. A tire graded 200 would wear twice as long on the government test track as one graded 100. Your actual tire mileage depends upon the conditions of their use and may vary due to driving habits, service practices, differences in road characteristics and climate. Note: Tread wear grades are valid only for comparisons within a manufacturer's product line . They are not valid for comparisons between manufacturers.
Traction
» A - Best
» B - Intermediate
» C - Acceptable
Traction grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. The Traction grade is based upon "straight ahead" braking tests; it does not indicate cornering ability.
Temperature
» A - Best.
» B - Intermediate
» C - Acceptable
The temperature grades represent the tire's resistance to the generation of heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperatures can cause the materials of the tire to degenerate and thus reduce tire life. Excessive temperatures can lead to tire failure. Federal law requires that all tires meet at least the minimal requirements of Grade C.
Load Index
| Code | Pounds | Kilograms | | Code | Pounds | Kilograms |
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| 71 | 761 | 345 | | 91 | 1,356 | 615 |
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| 72 | 783 | 355 | | 92 | 1,389 | 630 |
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| 73 | 805 | 365 | | 93 | 1,433 | 650 |
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| 74 | 827 | 375 | | 94 | 1,477 | 670 |
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| 75 | 853 | 387 | | 95 | 1,521 | 690 |
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| 76 | 882 | 400 | | 96 | 1,565 | 710 |
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| 77 | 908 | 412 | | 97 | 1,609 | 730 |
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| 78 | 937 | 425 | | 98 | 1,653 | 750 |
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| 79 | 963 | 437 | | 99 | 1,709 | 775 |
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| 80 | 992 | 450 | | 100 | 1,764 | 800 |
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| 81 | 1,019 | 462 | | 101 | 1,819 | 825 |
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| 82 | 1,047 | 475 | | 102 | 1,874 | 850 |
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| 83 | 1,074 | 487 | | 103 | 1,929 | 875 |
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| 84 | 1,102 | 500 | | 104 | 1,984 | 900 |
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| 85 | 1,135 | 515 | | 105 | 2,039 | 925 |
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| 86 | 1,168 | 530 | | 106 | 2,094 | 950 |
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| 87 | 1,201 | 545 | | 107 | 2,149 | 975 |
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| 88 | 1,235 | 560 | | 108 | 2,205 | 1,000 |
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| 89 | 1,279 | 580 | | 109 | 2,271 | 1,030 |
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| 90 | 1,323 | 600 | | 110 | 2,337 | 1,060 |
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Tire speed rating codes
| Code | mph | km/h | | Code | mph | km/h |
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| A1 | 3 | 5 | | L | 75 | 120 |
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| A2 | 6 | 10 | | M | 81 | 130 |
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| A3 | 9 | 15 | | N | 87 | 140 |
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| A4 | 12 | 20 | | P | 94 | 150 |
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| A5 | 16 | 25 | | Q | 100 | 160 |
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| A6 | 19 | 30 | | R | 106 | 170 |
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| A7 | 22 | 35 | | S | 112 | 180 |
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| A8 | 25 | 40 | | T | 118 | 190 |
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| B | 31 | 50 | | U | 124 | 200 |
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| C | 37 | 60 | | H | 130 | 210 |
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| D | 40 | 65 | | VR | over 130 | over 210 |
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| E | 43 | 70 | | V | 149 | 240 |
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| F | 50 | 80 | | W | 168 | 270 |
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| G | 56 | 90 | | Y | 186 | 300 |
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| J | 62 | 100 | | ZR | over 186 | over 300 |
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| K | 68 | 110 | | | | |
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| | :: Recommended Reading / Videos :: | | |
| :: Recommended material containing aditional info about Tires Speed-Rated :: |
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:: Copyright 2003 - 2012 CarEcstasy.com / All rights reserved :: |
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